College Park council adopts several measures, approves new task force and charter amendments

College Park’s mayor and city council approved a series of measures at their April 8 regular meeting, formalizing a new affordable‑housing task force, adopting a change to local rules on refuse and recycling containers, and adopting two charter amendments, including a change to allow 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds to register and vote in municipal elections.

Why it matters: the package of actions includes both policy steps (a task force charged with advising on affordable housing) and changes to municipal government rules that affect how elections and vacancies are handled. Several items will change how the city administers neighborhood issues and how eligible younger residents can participate in City of College Park elections.

Key decisions and outcomes

- Resolution establishing an Affordable Housing Task Force (agenda item 25R06): Councilmember Whitney moved the amended resolution; the item was approved during the meeting and will proceed to the mayor and council appointment process. The resolution sets a task force composition (preference for representative coverage across council districts, inclusion of a student liaison, and liaison representation from the Age‑Friendly/Livable Community work group), and allows outside experts to be called in to advise the group.

- Adoption of ordinance on placement and use of refuse and recycling containers (ordinance 25‑O‑01): The council adopted the ordinance after holding a public hearing on April 1 and leaving the record open for additional comment. The measure clarifies code language (changing references from “toters” to “carts”), adds prohibitions on using carts for games such as beer‑pong and similar uses, and retains existing placement rules for containers. The ordinance’s effective date was set for April 29, 2025.

- Charter resolution allowing 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds to register and vote in City of College Park elections (24CR02): After debate, the council adopted a charter amendment that automatically registers any resident who will be at least 16 on election day and is registered with the Prince George’s County Board of Elections. Council recorded a roll‑call vote: Hernandez (Aye), Hill (Nay), Esters (Aye), Whitney (Aye), Mitchell (Nay), Ranker (Aye), Rigg (Aye). The measure passed on a 5–3 vote.

- Charter resolution modifying vacancy procedures for council seats (25CR01, as amended): The council approved an amendment and then adopted a charter resolution that gives the mayor and council the option to fill certain mid‑term vacancies by appointment (subject to timing thresholds and a 30‑day appointment window) or by special election, depending on how close the vacancy is to the next general election. The final vote on the amended charter resolution was recorded unanimously (8–0).

- Introduction of stop‑sign monitoring ordinance (ordinance 20502): The council introduced, by motion, an ordinance to authorize stop‑sign monitoring systems consistent with state law (the language in the staff presentation referenced the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland). The item was introduced for first reading and a public hearing was scheduled for May 13, 2025; no final vote was taken at the April 8 meeting.

Council discussion and next steps: Several members urged careful attention to administrative and enforcement costs for elections and code changes. Staff said the newly created task force will be appointed by the mayor and council and that the refuse‑cart ordinance does not change current placement rules but targets misuse. The charter amendments, now adopted, will be implemented by city election administrators with the county board of elections as needed. The stop‑sign monitoring ordinance will return for public hearing and a final vote on May 13.

Votes at a glance (formal roll calls or recorded outcomes)

- 25R06 — Resolution establishing Affordable Housing Task Force: adopted (mover: Councilmember Whitney; second recorded; voice vote in favor during the meeting). - 25‑O‑01 — Refuse and recycling carts ordinance: adopted (mover: Mr. Regg; second recorded; voice vote in favor during meeting). Effective date 2025‑04‑29. - 24CR02 — Charter amendment, voting age lowered to 16 in city elections: adopted, roll call recorded (passed 5–3). - 25CR01 — Charter amendment, vacancy procedures (as amended): adopted, roll call recorded (passed 8–0). - 20502 — Ordinance to authorize stop‑sign monitoring systems (first reading): introduced; public hearing scheduled for 2025‑05‑13.

What council members said: supporters of the 16‑ and 17‑year‑old voting amendment framed it as an opportunity to increase civic engagement among students and residents living in family homes; opponents raised concerns about expanding voting jurisdiction to minors and suggested a community referendum instead. On the vacant‑seat amendment, proponents cited the administrative burden and cost of multiple special elections, while opponents stressed resident voting rights. On the refuse‑cart ordinance, staff and council emphasized the measure targets misuse (games and hazardous uses of carts) and does not change current placement rights.

Background: Several of the items were introduced at earlier meetings or public hearings (the refuse cart ordinance had a public hearing on April 1; the stop‑sign monitoring ordinance was discussed in a March work session). The council will take further action on the monitoring ordinance on May 13, and appointments and administrative steps for the task force will follow the council’s standard process for appointments.

Sources: presentation and motions recorded at the City of College Park City Council regular meeting, April 8, 2025.